VOLUME 48, NUMBER 2 / 3190 BENET LANE, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO 80921-1509 / Spring 2015VOLUME 48, NUMBER 2 / 3190 BENET LANE, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO 80921-1509 / Spring 2015

Honoring the past...

Honoring the past...

Celebrating the present...

Celebrating the present...

Embracing the future...

Embracing the future...

by Clare Carr, OSB, Prioress Message from Prioress

Dear Friends and Families,

This is our 50th Jubilee and throughout the year we will be celebrating with many communities in Colorado! We are honoring the past, celebrating the present and embracing the future. One essential element of the Hebrew Jubilee was the act of reconciliation.

In the story of the Prodigal Son we hear the story of two sons. One who leaves his father to squander all of his inheritance and the other who remains with his father, perceiving himself to be no more than a slave. In each of these men’s lives their perception of their father is wrong. The youngest son wants a roof over his head, clothes on his back and a meal.

“It shall be a Jubilee for you; you shall return, every one of you,to your property and

every one of you to your family.”

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50th Jubilee Prayer: T he Meaning of HESED by Anne Stedman, OSB

During this year of Jubilee, we, as community, celebrate and pray with and for you in Holy longing, Enduring love, Strong faith, Enormous blessings, and Deep gratitude.

The Hebrew Scriptures describe God’s relationship of steadfast love for Israel as HESED: the covenant of mutual mercy and goodness, kindness and fidelity and right relationship. The Christian Scriptures speak of HESED as God’s covenant love or loving kindness that extends to all our human relationships. This kinship love is expressed in enduring, forgiving and compassionate attitudes. St. Benedict, in chapter seventy-two of The Holy Rule, calls his community to practice HESED by embracing the fragility of mind, heart and spirit we encounter in our daily relationships.

Gracious God, We celebrate these fifty years with:

We are filled with trust in your Wisdom and Word and ask to be radical signs of your love and compassion for all humanity and our wounded world. In praise we pray...Glory to you, God, Source of all being, Eternal Word and Spirit of Wisdom. Amen.

Holy longing for the gift of peace as we honor the past, celebrate the present and embrace the futureEnduring love for the people of God we serve and the women who will join us Strong faith in God, who upholds and journeys with us Enormous blessings for all who accompany and support usDeep gratitude for our monastic heritage and our sisters who have gone before us

His father pulls out all the finest to celebrate his return. The oldest son refuses to come to the table of celebration because he resents his younger brother and the celebration. He fails to see that “all that is mine is yours” from the father. Each brother is precious, loved and an heir to their father’s love.

“You shall return, every one of you to your property and every one of you to your family.” Lev. 25:10

To return, to reconcile is to restore harmony. In the past few months, our sisters have begun the process of returning to all the locations we ministered in as a community; the San Luis Valley, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Denver. In each place we are inviting those who have been in relationship with us to celebrate together. We are inviting all to “re-member,” to reconnect, to heal from any past hurts and to celebrate our human community. We know that we have sometimes failed in loving but have also been a grace and a blessing to many in spite of our fragilities. You also blessed us deeply. We celebrate this mutual blessing.

It is truly the grace of God in action that enables us to live this blessed life. I invite you to review the following pages with the awareness of God’s grace reflected in each of our stories. You are a part of those stories, and it is your lives that have made us who we are in Christ.

Please set aside the time to celebrate with us when we visit your location. We want to see you and to be “re-membered” into the body of Christ. Blessings,

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The logo of Benet Hill Monastery symbolizes the life of the Benedictine Sisters in Colorado Springs and the world. The outer circle reminds us that we live in a global community. The Earth is our home and we are stewards of the Earth.

The mountains represent the Rocky Mountains, especially Pikes Peak located in Colorado Springs. Each morning and evening we lift our eyes to the mountains in psalmody as with the psalmist we pray, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains from where shall come my help. My help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” The yellow circle represents the sun, the moon, the world- all that brings us together in unity, oneness!

The dove calls us to our Benedictine motto, PEACE. As Benedictines, we are called to be people of peace; to cherish peace within ourselves and to help promote peace within our world. The Benedictine Cross reminds us that we are a Gospel people called by Jesus Christ to follow in His footsteps that lead ultimately to the cross and resurrection.

Evangeline Salazar, OSB and a committee designed the logo for Benet Hill Monastery.

Gina Berger, Communications Director, designed the 50th Jubilee logo as illustrated on the cover by using the stained glassas a model.

T he Symbolism in Benet Hill s Logo ‘

by Evangeline Salazar, OSB

‘Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the chosen one’ were the words we sang as we gathered to begin this week we call “holy”. Palm Sunday was a triumphant celebration where we joined all Christendom greeting the historical Jesus entering the holy city of Jerusalem. With palms in our hands we prayed for all the candidates and catechumens preparing to enter the Church during the Easter Vigil.

Elizabeth Goins, a local artist, created the logo into a beautiful stained glass work of art given to Sisters Leann Cogan, Elizabeth Cogan, Rose Ann Barmann and Anne Stedman as a jubilee gift in 2010.

Holy Week at Benet Hill by Anne Stedman, OSB

RCIA

Diocese of Colorado Springs

The Triduum was: ...culminated with the ‘waiting with Jesus our Redeemer’ on Thursday evening...

On Wednesday morning we gathered to receive the blessed oils our sisters received during our Diocesan Chrism Mass. This Morning Praise incorporated our asking God to bless the newly baptized and confirmed, and to anoint the ordained for ministry and the sick with sacred strength for the journey.

...highlighted with the heart of humanity broken open and filled with the glorious beauty of the resurrection on Easter.

And we give thanks.

...focused on the ‘suffering and death of Christ’ and the suffering in our wounded world on Friday and...

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Founding Day: June 14, 1965

“I have helped a pioneering group of dedicated women grow into a faith

community eager to serve God’s people. This small community has something

of lasting value to offer the people of God.” -Liguori Sullivan, OSB, Foundress

1st Prioress of Benet Hill Priory, 1965

Charter Members of Benet Hill boarding a bus and traveling to Colorado on August 15, 1963. Leaving from Mt. St.

Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas

In 1963, Archbishop Vehr

approved the building of a girl’s

prepartory school.Benet Hill

Academy began classes in 1963

and the building was completed and dedicated

in 1967.

1962-1965 Benet Hill was founded as a

renewedVatican II community.

Founding Cross brought from Atchison to Colorado in 1963. This cross is still used today at Benet Hill.

Benedictine Sisters have been educating impoverished communities in Colorado since 1914.

Honoring...

We have been blessed these fifty years by many rainbows as a sign of God’s promise of continual presence to our community. The beginning of the rainbow took root on Chelton Road and the arc of the bow led us to the property here at the Pines in Black Forest where we continue to be blessed with the promises of faith, hope and trust. We recognize the presence of rainbows as a reminder of God’s unwavering faithfulness on our journey.

God s Promise in the Rainbow ‘ by Mary John Thomas, OSB

1939 Capulin Chapel and Convent

Eighth Grade Graduating Class of 1935; Antonito, Colorado

Benedictines Planted Seeds of Faith’

A significant part of our 50th Jubilee preparations includes planning celebrations with all the parishes and schools where we ministered over the past fifty years. We, the sisters of Benet Hill, decided to go on a “pilgrimage” and reconnect with communities and the people of our past.

Father Sergio Robles, C.R. gave us a warm greeting when he said, “The Benedictine Sisters planted seeds of faith in the hearts of the people of the San Luis Valley.” These words affirmed us as we traveled to parishes in Conejos and Antonito in November 2014 to invite those communities to celebrate our Golden Jubilee with us. Sisters Naomi Rosenberger, Josie Sanchez, Mary Jane Vigil and I spoke at fifteen Masses throughout the San Luis Valley from November through March as we extended invitations to our Jubilee.

by Rose Ann Barmann, OSB

During these trips to the Valley, I realized what love and affection I carry in my heart for the students and parents I had the privilege of knowing through my teaching ministry. Yes, we have planted seeds of faith, and in return we have received the richness of lasting, loving and caring friendships. I have personally developed a deep appreciation of the Hispanic people and culture. I love Mexican food, Mariachi music and dance, but most of all, I love the simplicity of their religious experience of God, one another, and creation. This has made a lasting mark on my heart and soul.

We experienced the joy, love and appreciation from the people of Conejos, Antonito, Capulin, LaJara, Manassa, Monte Vista and Alamosa shared with us. They expressed deep gratitude for the dedication we had for them. Upon leaving the church in Conejos, one woman voiced her gratitude when she said, “I have a doctorate in education; it is because of the sisters that I believed in myself and have done what I have with my life.” In our visits to the San Luis Valley, we heard many similar expressions of joy and love.

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“Your heart is a seed. Go Plant it in the world.” -Sue Monk Kidd

Benet Hill Monastery

in Black Forest today. Property sold

on Chelton Road.

the past...

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by Elizabeth Cogan, OSB

As Benedictines, prayer and community are our first priorities, but service must flow from these blessings. As a retired person, I often wonder what my service really is. World news makes me feel so helpless in the face of so much pain, sorrow and fear. Yet the letters of gratitude we receive from our guests help me see that just being who we are and sharing what we have is a valuable service to God’s people.

Weekday Mass with just our home community attending is a very quiet, meditative prayer

Since arriving at Benet Hill Monastery four years ago, I find myself approaching my first monastic profession, and reflecting upon the vows of Stability, Obedience and Conversion of Life (conversatio) and all that is enfolded in them: simplicity, humility and celibacy. Stability is fidelity to a promise, the promise I make to God and my sisters, to not break faith, to journey over the interior ways of conversatio, the ways that turn back to the promise. God is saying to me “where I live is that place of conversion in the human heart.”

Benedictine Values

Conversatio is our souls at work, manifesting in our relationships with God, with each other, day in, day out, together. The way I hope to live my vows is to be open to the Holy Spirit, to trust, to do what is necessary for personal growth and the spiritual enrichment of all, to set aside my personal agendas, to serve God by serving the community and to “never…turn away when someone needs (my) love.” RB 4.26

First Vows by Margaret Meaney, OSB

The example of retreatants here for quiet and prayer gives me strength. As the weather warms many will enjoy the beauty of Pikes Peak in the early morning and the solitude of wandering in the forest. Those who choose to join us at community prayer also enhance that prayer time for me.

And finally, but not less important, the constant prayer requests remind me that our first priority is in itself a very viable service to many.

experience for me – a true blessing. Then comes Sunday Eucharist with the chapel full of people. Everyone participates with attention and voice. Deep in my soul the shared prayer, whether silent, spoken or sung, reverberates – a blessing of an entirely different kind. It is also a joy to participate with the babies (yes, even they are heard) children and especially teenagers. Each Sunday, our friendship with many individuals is renewed.

Sharon Schuh, (Oblate) Dixie Schull, Sisters Naomi Rosenberger and Rose Ann Barmann regularly attend the “The Southern Colorado Task Force on Human Trafficking” in Colorado Springs. The mission of this task force is to build collaboration of organizations and individuals to reduce human suffering caused by human trafficking, through advocacy, awareness, rehabilitation, and services for survivors. Benet Hill Monastery is assisting in the areas of education and awareness of this global crime against women and children.

News

Year of Consecrated Life

Sunday, September 13, 2015

5:00 pm Vespers We invite all to come and pray with the Sisters.

Save the Date

Celebrating...“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness.

If you are attentive, you will see it.” --Thich Nhat Hanh

“never…turn away

when someone needs (my) love.” -Rule of Benedict 4.26

At our retreat center we experience a blessing with every encounter. Recently, we enjoyed guests from England and Ethiopia, as well as from our own backyard, looking for a place of respite and some time to refresh their spirit on our beautiful, forested holy grounds. Although visitors often come to spend time with God, they usually also bless our sisters and staff. Their stories remind us to bear witness to God’s presence in the world.

One young man recently spent time in Turkey as a missionary sharing his love for Christ. When asked if he was fearful given the recent beheadings, he replied, “No, I believe in the resurrection”. Another visitor, a stewardess originally from Ethiopia, shared with us how she spends her time off in prayer at different monasteries around the world. When she is home with her sister in Los Angeles, they visit the homeless and deliver meals.

Our visitors share with us how they have been blessed and in turn share their blessings with us and others.

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Meister Eckhart tells us, “My eye and God’s eye are one eye”. How frequently we may forget to look consciously through that eye, to see creation as God sees it. Visio Divina, divine seeing, is a practice of praying with images – one that consistently directs our awareness to that one eye. Guided by Sister Ana Clougly and Ann Christensen, Benet Hill’s Visio Divina class dives deeply into this prayer form that brings us into communion with images, with God, and with one another. It opens our eyes, minds, and hearts to what Eckhart calls “one seeing, one knowing, one love.”

by Eileen Beuler, Retreat Center Coordinator

Blessed to be a Blessing

the present...It is only fitting the word “Benet” translated means blessing. (In Latin the meaning of the name Benet is: blessed. From benedictus meaning blessed. Famous bearers: 6th-century Italian Saint Benedict of Nursia. )

We personally invite you to take a breath and spend some quiet time listening to God’s voice in your life. In this year of Jubilee, please come visit and discover for yourself the blessings of God at Benet Hill.

Israel is the place where Jewish refugees fled for safety after World War II. Unfortunately, peace and safety have eluded both the refugees and the native inhabitants of that land. All the complexities of the conflict in Israel are mindboggling. Lynn Huber, Oblate has spent time with a group of people committed to Compassionate Listening to the people who live in Israel and particularly in the Gaza area. Lynn, having grown up in a Jewish home in the United States, shared with us both her experience in Israel and the inner struggles she personally experienced because of her time there. Lynn’s brief sharing on May 2nd gifted our community with a clearer awareness of the work that is being done to help both Israelis and Palestinians tell their stories. I, personally, am grateful to Lynn for bringing this complex issue into perspective. Land rights, ideologies, and historical perspectives aside, all are people who want what we all want, to live our lives free, safe and in peace.

Monthly Prayer GroupBenet Hill MonasteryEvery First Saturday9:00 am -12:30 pmContact: Ana Cloughly, OSB sana@benethillmonastery.orgPhone: 719-633-0655 ext. 150

Weekly CenteringPrayer GroupWednesdays from 9 am to 11 amBenedicta ‘s House2602 N. Chelton Rd.Colorado SpringsContact: Therese O’Grady, OSB Phone: 719-473-8764

Visio Divina by Ana Cloughly, OSB, Director of Contemplative Vision by Amy Agape, Student

Compassionate Listening

Prayer Experience Opportunities

“If we have no peace, it is because we haveforgotten that we belong to each other.”

-Mother Teresa

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First Oblate of Benet Hillby Kathy Morgan, osb Oblate

The Global Online students throughout the year continued to break open my heart in ways that allowed the Spirit to infuse such gratitude for their presence in my life. Their spiritual practices expanded their Christ consciousness to see God in everything and to bear joy in life. This witness of faithfulness instilled hope in knowing that Benedictine values change lives, hearts, and how we live the Gospel. There is nothing more important for human beings than to learn to live in harmony with God’s will, which is to say, God’s love. The generous sharing of each student’s wisdom creates the soul space to stand authentically before God in deep humility and peace. We will continue to be women seeking God together, for distance does not separate God’s love; it only fortifies the foundation of friendship. I thank each one of you for your commitment to one another and this program. God Bless! (see graduation names on page 10.)

Mary Ellis, one of Benet Hill’s earliest oblates, graduated in 1974 with a Masters in French Literature/Theater of the Absurd with an existentialism emphasis. Though an Episcopalian, she desired a challenge beyond Christianity 101 and soon set off on a search for life’s meaning—a search that led her in 1976, while teaching at UCCS, to Benet Hill Monastery. That year, she joined two other women as they were mentored in Benet Hill’s first oblate program. Of the three women, two, including Mary, made their final oblations in 1977. According to Mary, in those days they only had the Rule to study, which markedly sped up their candidate and novitiate process.

by Mary Colleen Schwarz, OSB

Embracing...“Listen and attend with the ear of your heart.”

-St. Benedict of Nursia

Films and Concerts

Global Online

G

LOBAL ONLINE

Classroom without walls...

Mary Colleen Schwarz, OSB and Mary Ann Spiker are visitng Seattle , WA to discuss the possibilities of creating a satellite location for the Global Online Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program. Technology has made it possible for Benet Hill to reach out and grow this program worldwide!

“The Lord waits for us daily to translate into action, as we should, his holy teachings.”

-Rule of Benedict/Prologue: 35

Becoming an oblate, Mary was quick to emphasize, “has enriched my life beyond measure.” The Rule is “livable, challenging, and encapsulates Scripture in a practical, doable, daily way.” Becoming an oblate has made her more mindful and intentional in all she does. It has positively impacted her interactions with others in challenging times and situations, not to mention improved her listening skills. Daily prayer and study of the Rule have helped her to better reach out to others, live in the moment, and care more fully for the environment.

Mary, an oblate now for 38 years, entered the Catholic Church in 2005. Her sponsor was fellow oblate, Charlene Pardo.

For further information on the oblates of St. Benedict, please contact Marie Therese (MT) Summers, OSB at mtsummers@benethillmonastery.org.

by Carin Willis, Mission Advancement Assistant

Concert Series. We have invited the community to learn more about our Benedictine values of hospitality, to create a gentle presence on the earth, and to share awareness of cultural issues. Through our partnership with the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Institute, we have shown the following films at Benet Hill: “No Evidence of Disease”, “Born into Brothels” and “Bag It”. Films are shown at the monastery every three months and are a great way to create dialogue about global issues in a local setting.

Benedictine sisters have always valued music as a rich part of culture and history, and we are delighted to be able to host world-class chamber concert music in our beautiful Lady of Peace Chapel. Chamber Music in the Pines plays concerts at Benet Hill throughout the year including the upcoming concert “Italien” Springtime on May 31st. The Chamber Music in the Pines is sponsored by the Pikes Peak Art Council with season or single concert options available to accommodate a wide variety of musical tastes.

Benet Hill Monastery supports arts and culture within our community through partnership with the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Institute and through our Chamber

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April 28 to May 1 Sisters Mary Jane Vigil and Mary Colleen Schwarz attended the American Benedictine Formation Conference Symposium at St. Benedict Center in Schuyler, NE. The conference theme: Transitions: A Journey of Formation.”

the future... by Terry Hicks, Candidate

Sister MT Summers hosted the Region XIII Conference of Religious Treasurers at Benet Hill Monastery April 25 -28th. Treasurers from Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado attended. Sister Susan Mika, OSB from Boerne, TX presented on Socially Responsible Investing followed by their annual business meeting.

Intergenerational Spirituality: “Why We Need Each Other” was the focus of a program attended by Sisters Clare Carr, Evangeline

Salazar and Rose Ann Barmann on April 23rd at the Loretta Center in Denver, CO. Dr. Elizabeth Nesbit from the Denver Seminary led the participants through an exploration of the key characteristics; values and concepts of the Silent Generation, the Baby Boomers, the GenXers and the Millennials. An understanding of the various

generations and their approach to life issues is most helpful in accepting the other’s point of view in relating to one another.

Colorado College students visited Benet Hill in April 2015 with their professor, Devaka Premawardhana, PhD as part of their study of Christianity. The purpose of our time together was to show how Christian beliefs and practices are shaped by historical context and culture. Students spent the morning participating in community activities: morning praise, presentations on monastic history, visiting with sisters to hear their stories and finally sharing lunch with the community.

A Day in the Lifecompiled by Gina Berger, Communications Director

Back Row L to R: Susan Mika OSB, Wilmarie Erhardt OSB, Frances Sedlacek OSF, Valerie Stark OSB, Rose Marie Stallbaumer OSB,

Barbara McCracken OSB; Seated L to R: Linda Bartusek, Jan Ginzkey OSB , MT Summers OSB, Jean Ann Panisko SL and

Margaret Ann Kearns

Back Row L to R: Madi Howard, Hannah Wilson, Max Conlon, Alex Hager, John Williams, Shea Herlihy-Abba

Front Row (L to R): Rose Ann Barmann, OSB, Devaka Premawardhana, Oliver Gunter, Ana Cloughly, OSB, Gabe Sashihara

Terry Hicks Becomes a CandidateDiscernment of my call to consecrated life is the most intriguing journey of my life. The “I want to be a nun” stage, at age 9, has undergone an incredible transformation. In college, the Lord called me in a different direction. I became a wife and a stepmom. After my husband passed away, I asked God, “What is the plan for my life?” The past echo of that call to religious life was now a question of discernment. I was very surprised when God directed that deep desire to be a religious sister at Benet Hill Monastery. Candidacy is a discernment process full of prayer and listening to God. Candidacy is the intentional opening of my heart to God and community. Community embraces and walks with me and gives reassurance with loving support. In humility, I come to walk with the sisters of Benet Hill on the path to seek God in all things. My heart is being transformed, and the candidacy is the next path of discerning God’s will in my life.

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Grand JunctionDenver

Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program: Graduation

Colorado Springs Global Online

Top Row L to R: Julie Renck, Tammy Hagins, Janice Garcia, Margaret Meaney, OSB, Virginia (Dixie) Creason, Timm Tews,

Debra Tenney, Anne Stedman, OSB; Bottom Row L to R: Karen Matuska, William Jeavons, Kateri Lovato, OSB

Sister Kateri Lovato, OSB, New Mexico

Mary Maloney Haggerty, St. Louis

~ M

eliss

a Su

e Engel, A

laska ~Miriam C. Allen, Ohio ~JoAnn Choi, Seattle

Teresa R. Hougnon, Kenya ~ Kathleen J. Emry, Seattl

e ~

Congratulations to all the graduates!

Back Row L to R: Barbara Creswell, Diane Bur, Jeff Eliassen, Mary Beth Doubet, Kathie Kelly

Front Row L to R: Priscilla Shand, Rev. Joanne Buchanan-Brown (Denver Site Coordinator), Rev. Brenda J. Goodman,

Susan Harman (not pictured)

L to R: David Dennison-Jones; Melanie McHugh; Mykan White; Ann Ashwood,CSJ; Andrea Leak; Gretchen Pierce; Hunter Darrouzet.

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Greetings, Friends of Benet Hill!

We’re getting very excited at Benet Hill as preparations are well underway to celebrate “50 Years of Blessings” at Benet Hill Monastery! Following a beautiful Easter season, a time of rebirth and renewal, we are delighted to see many past supporters of the sisters renew their gifts for the mission and ministries offered here in the forest. Our spring appeal was sent to those whom we have missed in the last year– and you have answered the call! Thank you one and all!

Look for ways to come and get involved – from attending the must-attend “50 Years of Blessings” Celebration to sharing of your treasure and talents for all that Jubilee means. We invite you to think about making your own personal contribution to the Jubilee. A special gift in honor or memory of a beloved Sister is just one way to honor the sacred milestone that is Jubilee. And as ever, you are all warmly invited to the fourth Sunday Donor Appreciation following Mass for fellowship and refreshments.

Thank you for the honor to serve in the ministry of fundraising at Benet Hill!

We thank our generous sponsors of the 50th Jubilee!We thank our generous sponsors of the 50th Jubilee!

PLANNED GIVINGPLANNED GIVINGIts spring cleaning time and tax season is behind us! It’s a great opportunity to take stock of your family’s current and future needs. Please consider making a planned gift to the Monastery as you evaluate your financial future. There are many ways to do so; the most common being a bequest or specific amount designated by your estate. Another easy, no-cost option is to make the Monastery the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. For more information, visit our Website at www.benethillmonastery.org or contact Jennifer Malenky: jmalenky@benethillmonastery.org or call (719) 355-1613.

St. Scholastica Sponsors ($5,000 to $9,999)

Marie EvansAimee & James Farrell

St. Gertrude Sponsors ($2,500 to $4,999)

Anonymous (2)O’Brien’s Carpet One Floor and Home

St. Hildegard of Bingen Sponsors ($1,000 to $4,999)

AnonymousNancy Billiard in Memory of Frank Billiard

Mary & Hugh Burns Olson Plumbing & Heating

Michael R. Stedman FoundationMonarch Investment & Management Group

We thank an additional nine donors giving up to $1,000 toward the Jubilee!

“Create a Benedictine Future with Us” Visit website, Facebook, Review, e-letters and invitations for more information.

Save the Date: Jubilee Events

Geographic Area Date of Jubilee Event Place of Event Geographic Area Date of Jubilee Event Place of Event

Saturday, July 18, 2015 Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015 Friday, Dec. 18, 2015

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016

Sunday, Mar. 13, 2016 Sunday, April 17, 2016

Sunday in May 2016

Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs, CO

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Hall in Conejos, CO

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pueblo, CO Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs, CO

Christ the King Parish Hall in Denver, CO

St. Cajetan’s Event Center, Auraria Campus in Denver, CO

Our Lady of Fatima, Lakewood, CO

Location TBA

Colorado Springs “50 Years of Blessings” San Luis Valley Pueblo and Canon City Colorado Springs Christmas Extravaganza Denver: Christ the King, St. Vincent’s, St. James and Blessed Sacrament Denver: St. Cajetan’s, Guardian Angel and Our Lady of Guadalupe Denver: Our Lady of Fatima, St. Jude’s, St. Bernadette’s, Holy Family, St. Mary’s, and Theresians

Walsenburg, Aguilar, Gardner, and La Veta

Please mark your calendars now for the “50 Years of Blessings “ Jubilee Celebration event to be held July 18, 2015 at Benet Hill. This will be a wonderful, community-wide gathering of all those whom the sisters have touched during the last half decade. We are particularly eager to welcome you, our faithful and generous donors, “back home” as we reflect on all that God has brought to life even as we look to the future as life renews itself. This “big tent” event will also be an engaging way to introduce people to Benet Hill and to help the entire Colorado Springs community recognize the significant legacy of the sisters’ work in an even broader view.

by Jennifer Malenky, Director of Mission Advancement

Mission Advancement

Book Review: If Nuns Ruled the Worldby Clare Carr, OSB, Prioress

Benet Hill Monastery3190 Benet LaneColorado Springs, CO 80921-1509

Non-profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDColorado Springs

COPermit No. 576RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The Review is published quarterly by Benet Hill Monastery of Colorado Springs, Inc., 3190 Benet Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80921-1509 Phone: 719/633-0655 Fax: 719/471-0403 email: info@benethillmonastery.org Website: www.benethillmonastery.org

editor/layout/Cover design - Gina Berger, Communications Director; Cover Photo: Mike MatthewsContributors - Sisters and staff of Benet Hill Monastery, students, alumnae and friends.

Ministry CalendarChamber Music in the Pines Concert Sunday, May 31 2:30 pm Adult: $20 Student: $10 Seniors/Military: $17

FOR INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES: Visit our website at www.benethillmonastery.org

If Nuns Ruled the World; Jo Piazza, Author

This is one of the most poignant books I have read in a long while. The author presents ten ordinary women doing extraordinary works. They are women responding to the needs of today’s broken in our world. They are speaking for women, men and children who do not have a voice. These voices have faces and stories that will break your heart. These religious women will call you to admiration when you read about their efforts. Religious women such as, Sister Joan Dawber who established a house for women who have been trafficked says, “To say a person has been trafficked is to say they have had their freedom taken away from them through force, fraud, or coercion. They are treated like a commodity, not a person, and their humanity is stripped away from them.” Sister Joan provides a clean bed and education for these women; many of whom have never had their own bed and a feeling of safety.

Benet Hill Monastery * 3190 Benet Ln. * Colorado Springs, CO 80921* PH:719-633-0655The Monastery is situated in the woodland setting of the Black Forest

located in northeast Colorado Springs, off Highway 83.

There is the story of Sister Nora Nash, who confronted the CEO, Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs for his huge salary. She and her assistant have also challenged Kroger’s over the rights of farm workers; Hershey’s chocolate company over child labor; McDonalds’ over childhood obesity; Walmart on raising their minimum wage; and Wells Fargo over predatory lending practices. And then there is Sister Dianna Mae Ortiz who was brutally raped in Guatemala in the late 80’s, and began TASSC, Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition and has spoken for the many in the world who continue to be brutalized. Recently, she wrote to President Obama asking him to end the country’s involvement in any kind of torture in the world. She says of her journey, “the act of survival is worse than the torture itself”. This is something to think about.

Books are available in our Gift Shop.

If you would like to volunteer at any of the Jubilee locations, please email Rose Ann Barmann, OSB and she will

put you in contact with a site committee chair.

sroseann@benethillmonastery.org